Trailer line routing

ABSTRACT

A system for routing an elongated line of an over the highway tractor having a connector for powering a component of a trailer. An elongated line, such as an electrical cable or an air hose, has a first mating connector that mates with a connector on the tractor that provides access to a source of air under pressure or electrical energy. The elongated line also includes a second mating connector that mates with a connector on a trailer. First and second releasable hooks are connected to the elongated line along the length of the line. The first and second hooks are secured to mounting points on the tractor to properly route the cable when the second connector is connected to the trailer and when the second connector is not connected to the trailer.

This application is a divisional of application No. 10/373,335, filedFeb. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,180.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to flexible lines that are usedto provide electricity and/or fluid under pressure from a tractor to atrailer and, more particularly, the present invention relates to asystem for individually guiding and supporting one or more of theflexible lines.

BACKGROUND ART

In conventional tractor-trailer type vehicle arrangements, air hosesand/or electrical cables are provided which are adapted to be releasablycoupled with the tractor and the trailer for operating and controllingvarious trailer components such as brakes and lights. For example, atypical arrangement includes two air hoses for conveying air from thecab to the brakes of the trailer and an electrical cable forinterconnecting the respective electrical systems of the cab and trailervehicles. Such hoses and cables are required to be of sufficient lengthto accommodate articulation of the tractor and trailer as the truckturns or travels over hills. As such, the hoses and cables havesubstantial slack portions when the vehicles are aligned.

The slack portions are typically taken up in large loops that flattenout as the slack is taken out of the hoses and cables when the tractorand trailer articulate or flex with respect to each other. Referring toFIG. 1A, means have been provided for supporting the hoses A and cable Bin their looped configurations and to prevent damage to the hoses A andcable B by abrasion or tangling with other parts of the tractor and/orthe trailer. Typically, the two air brake hoses along with the trailercable positioned between the air brake hoses are restrained by a singlethree position clamp C. The three position clamp is used to support thehoses and the cable. The three position clamp is held together with oneor more threaded fasteners D.

One problem with using the three position clamp is that the trailercable is often not placed in the clamp. The trailer cable may be omittedbecause it is often the last component to be added to the tractor beforethe tractor is put into service and may be forgotten. When tractors areshipped in a “piggy back” configuration the cable is often removed andstored within the cab to prevent theft or damage of the cable. Oftentimes, the cable is not properly placed in the three position clampafter shipment. In addition, when a cable wears out the replacementcable is often not placed in the three position clamp. The replacementcable is often not placed in the three position clamp, because it isdifficult to disconnect and reconnect the clamp and the tools usedneeded to disconnect and reconnect the clamp are not always available onthe tractor. When the trailer cable is not secured in the three positionclamp, the cable will sit on the deck of the tractor and will be damagedby abrasion.

An additional problem with the three position clamp arrangement is thatthe clamp does not provide sufficient freedom for movement of the cable.The restriction the three position clamp places on the cable may causethe cable to become knotted.

As a result, there is a need for an elongated line assembly thatproperly routes an elongated line from a tractor to a trailer and iseasy to detatch and connect to structure on the tractor that supportsthe line. There is also a need for a line assembly that is free toswivel with respect to an attachment point to prevent the line frombeing knotted. Further, there is a need for a replacement line assemblythat includes clamps connected to the line at predefined locations. Sucha line assembly eases replacement of a worn or damaged line.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elongated line routing system for ofan over the highway tractor. The system properly routes an elongatedline, such as an air hose or an electrical cable, and supports theelongated line above a frame or deck of the tractor, preventing damageto the line by abrasion. The system includes an elongated line havingfirst and second hooks and a support with first and second mountingpoints or rings. The first releasable hook is latched onto the firstmounting point and the second releasable hook is latched onto the secondmounting point to route the elongated line and support the elongatedline above the frame of the tractor.

In one embodiment, an electrical trailer cable has a first connectorthat mates with the electrical socket on the tractor and a secondconnector that mates with an electrical socket on a trailer. The firstand second releasable hooks are connected to the cable along the lengthof the cable. The first and second hooks are secured to mounting pointson the tractor to properly route the cable when the second connector isconnected to the trailer and when the second connector is not connectedto a trailer.

In one embodiment, the electrical trailer cable is supported by anelongated cable support, often referred to as a pogo stick. In thisembodiment, the first releasable hook is spaced apart from the firstconnector and the second releasable hook is between the first releasablehook and the second connector. The first hook is connected to a ringpositioned along the length of the elongated cable support. The secondhook is connected to a second ring that on an end portion of theelongated cable support. The first and second hooks route the electricaltrailer cable from the socket on the tractor to the elongated cablesupport, along a length of the elongated cable support, to an endportion of the elongated cable support. A receptacle may be mounted tothe elongated cable support for holding the second connector when thesecond connector is not connected to the socket on the trailer.

In one embodiment, the support is defined by an attachment point on thetractor cab and a spring that hangs from the cab. In this embodiment,the first hook is latched onto a ring on the back side of the cab andthe second hook latches onto a ring on the end portion of the spring.The first and second hooks route the elongated line from the connectoron the tractor, to the ring on the cab, to the end portion of thespring. A receptacle may be mounted to the cab for holding a secondmating connector when the second mating connector is not connected tothe socket on the trailer.

In one method of routing an elongated line of an over the highwaytractor a first mating connector of the elongated line is plugged into aconnector of the tractor. A first portion of the elongated line isrouted to a first mounting point located along the length of anelongated cable support. A first hook on the elongated line is connectedto the first mounting point. A second portion of the elongated line isrouted from the first mounting point to a second mounting point locatedat an end portion of the elongated cable support. A second hook on theelongated line is connected to the second mounting point.

In one method of routing an elongated line of an over the highwaytractor a first mating connector of the elongated line is plugged into aconnector of the tractor. A first portion of the elongated line isrouted to a position first mounting point located on a rear surface ofthe cab of the tractor. A first hook on the elongated line is connectedto the first mounting point. A second portion of the elongated line isrouted from the first mounting point to a second mounting point locatedat an end portion of the spring. A second hook on the elongated line isconnected to the second mounting point.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fullerunderstanding obtained by reading the following detailed description inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art three position clampholding two air lines and an electrical cable;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor with an electrical cableassembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a cable assembly connected to anarticulated tractor and trailer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical cable connected to anelongated cable support by first and second hooks;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an electrical cable connected to anelongated cable support by first and second hooks;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a tractor with an electricalcable assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electrical cable connected to abracket by a first hook and a spring by a second hook;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 6,in which the electrical cable is connected to a ring by the first hook;

FIG. 6 b is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of FIG.6, in which the electrical cable is connected to an eye-hook by thefirst hook;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a cable assembly connected to anarticulated tractor and trailer;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a spring hook; and,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slide bolt snap hook.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a system 10 for properly routing anelongated line 18, such as an air hose or an electrical cable. Thesystem supports one or more lines 18 above a frame 2 or deck 3 of atractor 12 to prevent damage to the line by abrasion and to preventtangling of the lines. The system 10 includes a support 5 with first andsecond mounting points 34, 36. First and second releasable hooks 30, 32are connected to the elongated line 18. In the exemplary embodiment,each hook is connected to only one elongated line. The hooks are latchedto the mounting points 34, 36 to route the elongated line and supportthe elongated line above the frame of the tractor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated line 18 is an electricalcable. It should be readily apparent that the illustrated elongated linecould also represent an air hose. Although the three elongated lines (1electrical cable and two air hoses) are typically used, only oneelongated line is shown to simplify the drawings. In the exemplaryembodiment, the electrical cable and the air hoses are each supported bythe releasable hooks 30, 32. However, the electrical cable could besupported by releasable hooks 30, 32 and the air hoses could besupported by the existing three position clamp.

The tractor 12 includes one or more connectors 14 for powering acomponent of a trailer 16. In the illustrated embodiments, the connector14 is an electrical socket. The elongated line 18 has first and secondends 20, 22. A first mating connector 24 that mates with the connector14 of the tractor is included on the first end 20 of the cable. A secondmating connector 26 that mates with a connector 28 on the trailer isincluded on the second end 22 of the line. In the illustratedembodiment, the connector 28 is an electrical socket. A first releasablehook 30 is secured to the line 18 spaced apart from the first connector24. A second releasable hook 32 is secured to the line 18 between thefirst releasable hook 30 and the second connector 26. In the illustratedembodiment, the first and second mounting points 34, 36 are ringssupported by the tractor 12. The first hook 30 is releasably latchedonto the first mounting point 34 and the second hook 32 is releasablylatched onto the second mounting point 36. The connections of the firsthook to the first mounting point and the second hook to the secondmounting point properly route the elongated line 18.

The illustrated electrical cable is a standard sized seven wire tractortrailer cable. The illustrated cable includes a relatively straight(i.e. not coiled) segment 9 and a coiled segment 11. Suitable cables areconstructed with various lengths and configurations, but usually have atwelve foot effective length or a fifteen foot effective lengthdepending on the application. In the exemplary embodiment, therelatively straight segment 9 is approximately forty-eight inches long.

The hook 30 illustrated in FIG. 8, is a snap hook, sometimes referred toas chain connection spring clip. Snap hooks are often used on a dogleash. The hook 30 illustrated in FIG. 9 is a spring hook that has aslide bolt that is biased to a closed position by a spring. Snap hooksor spring hooks could be used. It should be readily apparent that othertypes of hooks could also be used. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, thefastening eye 13 is connected to the hook 30 by a swivel 15 that allowsthe fastening eye to rotate with respect to the hook. The hook 30 isconnected to the segment 9 of the line by a plastic cable tie 17 orstrap in the exemplary embodiment. The cable tie passes through thefastening eye and is snugly secured around the line 18. The swivel 15allows the hook 30 to rotate freely with respect to the line 18.

The locations of the first and second mounting points 34,36 on thetractor and the hooks 30, 32 on the line are selected to maintain theline 18 at a safe and reasonably high distance above the tractor frame2, a fuel tank top 23, and back of cab access deck plates 3. In oneembodiment, the first hook 30 is connected to the line 18 atapproximately twenty-four inches from the line end 20 and the secondhook is connected at approximately forty-eight inches from the line end20.

FIGS. 1–4 illustrate an embodiment of the system 10 supporting anelectrical cable. In this embodiment, the system utilizes an elongatedline or cable support 38 to properly route the electrical cable.Suitable elongated line supports are often referred to as pogo sticks.The elongated line support is mounted away from the cab and is on thevehicle centerline in the exemplary embodiment. One acceptable elongatedline support 38 is forty-eight inches tall and is mounted to the frame.The illustrated elongated line support 38 includes a spring portion 40and an elongated post 42. The spring portion 40 is secured to the deck 3of the tractor. The spring portion 40 biases the elongated line supportto the upright position illustrated by FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, thespring portion also allows the elongated line support to tilt in anydirection. In FIG. 2, the elongated line support 38 is pulled toward thetrailer 16 by the electrical cable plugged into the connector 28 of thetrailer.

Referring to FIG. 1, the connector 28 is located in close proximity to abase 39 of the elongated line support. Referring to FIG. 3, firstmounting point 34 is a ring connected to a lower portion of theelongated post 42 between the spring portion 40 and an end 46 of theelongated post 42. The first mounting point 34 is approximatelytwenty-four inches away from the connector 28. The second mounting point36 is a ring connected to an end portion 48 of the post 42 near the end46. In the exemplary embodiment, the second mounting point is positionedwithin three inches of the end 46 of the post. In the embodimentillustrated by FIGS. 1–4, the first and second rings are defined by eyes50 of eye bolts 52. A bracket connected to the elongated line supportthat includes a hole for connection of a hook could be used as the firstand/or second mounting points. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 a receptacle54 is mounted to the elongated line support for holding the secondconnector 26 when the second connector is not connected to the connector28 on the trailer.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1–4, the first releasable hook 30is latched onto the first ring and the second releasable hook 32 islatched onto the second ring. The first and second hooks and said firstand second rings route the electrical trailer cable from the socket 24on the tractor to 9 lower portion 49 of the elongated post, along thelength of the elongated post, to the end portion 48 of the elongatedpost. FIG. 2 illustrates the trailer cable extended from the end portion48 of the elongated post to the socket 28 on the trailer. FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate the second connector 26 held in the receptacle 54. The cableis neatly routed between the second ring and the receptacle 54.

FIGS. 5–7 illustrate another embodiment of the system 10 supporting anelectrical cable. In this embodiment, the system 10 utilizes a bar 60connected to a back side 62 of a cab 64 and a spring 66 connected to thebar 60 to properly route the electrical cable. The illustrated bar 60includes two bent end portions 68A,68B that are connected to the backside 62 of the cab such that an elongated middle portion 70 is spacedaway from the back side 62 of the cab. The illustrated spring 66includes a first loop 72, sometimes referred to as a “bull ring,” thatis disposed around the bar 60 to connect the spring 66 to the bar 60.The spring is free to slide along the length of the bar. FIG. 5illustrates the spring 66 in an unextended position. Referring to FIG.7, the spring 66 may also be pulled in any direction away from the cab.In FIG. 7 the spring 66 is pulled toward the trailer 16 by theelectrical cable plugged into the socket 28 of the trailer.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the socket 14 is below the cab 64. Referringto FIGS. 5 and 6, the first mounting point 34 is a bracket 73 connectedto a receptacle 74 that holds the second connector when the secondconnector is not connected to the trailer. The receptacle 74 isconnected to the back side 62 of the cab 64. In the illustratedembodiment, the fastener 75 that holds the receptacle 74 to the cab alsosecures the bracket 73. The bracket 73 includes a hole for attachment ofthe hook 30. The bracket 73 is positioned about twenty-four inches fromthe connector 14 in the exemplary embodiment. The location shown in FIG.5 provides a vertical climb to the line away from all frame surfaceobstructions and is a good egress for routing of the line toward thetrailer connection. A second mounting point 36 is a ring formed orconnected to a second end 76 of the spring 66. It should be readilyapparent that other structure, such as a ring 73 a or eye molded or castin the receptacle 74, as illustrated in FIG. 6 a, or an eye bolt 73 b ,as illustrated in FIG. 6 b, could be used as the first mounting point.Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the receptacle is mounted to the back sideof the cab for holding the second connector 26 when the second connectoris not connected to the socket 28 on the trailer.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5–7, the first releasable hook 30is latched onto the first mounting point and the second releasable hook32 is latched onto the second mounting point. The first and second hooksand said first and second mounting points route the electrical trailercable from the first socket 24 to the first mounting point on the cab,to the mounting point 76 on the end of the spring. FIG. 7 illustratesthe trailer cable extended from the end of the spring to the socket 28on the trailer. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the second connector 26 held inthe receptacle 74. The cable is neatly routed between the second ringand the receptacle.

The line 18 illustrated by the drawings is an electrical cable. Itshould be readily apparent the system 10 could be used to route andsupport air hoses that supply air under pressure to the brakes of thetrailer. The air brake hoses would also be equipped with two hooks thatare used to position the hoses.

The disclosed line assembly 10 provides for quick and easy installationof trailer lines, such as hoses and cables, with planned routing forconsistent quality and safety. Fastening of the cable is quick due tothe prepositioned hooks on the elongated line and connection points onthe tractor. The assembly 10 positions the cables up and away from thefeet of the driver when the driver needs to access the back of thevehicle between the cab and the trailer. The assembly 10 also providesfor quick and easy serviceability or replacement of the line assembly,since a replacement line assembly 10 includes the hooks 30, 32 at theproper position on the line. The swivel feature of the hooks providesfor freedom of movement of the cable which helps eliminate chafing andknotting.

1. In an over the highway tractor having an electrical socket forpowering an electrical component of a trailer, a bar connected to a backside of a cab of the tractor, a spring connected to the bar, and anelectrical trailer cable having a first connector that mates with saidelectrical socket and a second connector that mates with a socket on atrailer, said electrical trailer cable being supported by said spring, asystem for routing the cable, comprising: a) a first releasable hooksecured to the electrical trailer cable spaced apart from said firstconnector; b) a second releasable hook secured to the electrical trailercable between said first releasable hook and said second connector; c) afirst mounting point on a back side of a cab of said tractor, said firstreleasable hook being latchable onto said first ring mounting point; d)a second mounting point on an end portion of said spring said secondreleasable hook being latchable onto said second mounting point, saidfirst and second hooks and said first and second mounting points routesaid electrical trailer cable from said socket to said first mountingpoint on said cab, to an end portion of said spring.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said second mounting point is defined by a loop formedat an end of said spring.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said firstmounting point is defined by a bracket having an opening.
 4. The systemof claim 1 wherein said first mounting point is defined by an endportion of an eye bolt.
 5. The system of claim 1 further comprising areceptacle mounted to said cab for holding said second connector whensaid second connector is not connected to said socket on said trailer.6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a swivel structureinterposed between said first hook and said cable that allows said hookto rotate with respect to said cable.
 7. The system of claim 1 whereinsaid first hook includes a spring mechanism that biases said hook to aclosed condition.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said first mountingpoint is defined by a ring.